The former world heavyweight champion posted a message on Twitter hailing Mayweather's majority-decision triumph last Saturday over Argentina's Marcos Maidana but slipped in a jab of his own about Mayweather having yet to face Pacquiao.

“Congratulations FloydMayweather. Maybe after you rest up we can see you rumble with MannyPacquiao!” Ali tweeted.

Mayweather, 37, and Pacquiao, 35, talked about a showdown years ago as fans pushed for the superstars to meet in the ring but money and blood testing issues scuttled the talks.

Congratulations Floyd Mayweather. Maybe after you rest up we can see you rumble with Manny Pacquiao!

Muhammad Ali

Since then, Mayweather (46-0 with 26 knockouts) has said he will never work with Pacquiao's long-time promoter, Bob Arum, and Pacquiao (56-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts) is reportedly in talks for a new deal with Arum that would likely take him to the end of his career.

Pacquiao beat Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision last month, avenging a controversial 2012 defeat, and could face Juan Manuel Marquez for the fifth time if the Mexican wins a fight later this month to become his mandatory next title challenger. Marquez stopped Pacquaio in 2012.

Mayweather did not address Ali’s Twitter remark but did return to tweeting on Monday after his tweets were named on Time magazine’s list of the 140 best Twitter feeds of this year.

“It’s an honour to be on Time’s list of best Twitter feeds of 2014. Go grab Time Magazine from the store,” Mayweather tweeted.